In The Name of The Lord

I’ve grown up hearing the story of 1 Samuel 17.  It’s a famous Bible passage since it tells of the Hebrew shepherd boy, David, slaying the Philistine giant, Goliath, with a stone and sling.

I’ve often thought of David as a courageous boy, but the last time I read these Scriptures, I began to wonder if David might have been nervous as he approached Goliath on the battle field.  Goliath cut David down with his sharp words, but David was just as tough talking as that giant!  With David declaring victory before he had even killed Goliath, I wondered if David was feeling the pressure building up at the battle ground.

I examined David’s words that he spoke to the army of Israel and to the giant.  So many times I’ve skimmed over this dialogue, but his conversations gave me insight to understanding his confidence.

When David went to the battle ground that day, he wasn’t seeking to fight Goliath and become the hero of Israel.  He was simply performing a chore for his father by taking a meal to his older brothers.  When David got to the battle ground, though, he was offended by Goliath because he spoke against God.  All day long, Goliath would taunt the army of Israel and no one would fight against him.  David knew how sovereign and mighty God was, and to hear someone speaking against the Lord and His people was enough to make David do something about the situation.

David did not enter this battle in his own strength.  I believe he entered it with the anointing, protection, and power of the Holy Spirit.  David wasn’t fighting to obtain recognition and praise.  He was coming before Goliath to bring glory to God.  The pressure wasn’t on David because David’s reliance was on God!

I love what David said to Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:45-47 because it shows where his heart was and Who his faith was in...

"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head.  Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.  All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

Notice how David said to Goliath, “I come against you IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.”

We know that God gave David the victory that day.  David defeated a giant with his sling shot.  How?  Because he came against that giant in the name of the Lord.

Whatever “giant” you may find yourself against, know that victory can be yours when you go before him in the name of the Lord!